Pat Taub
Growing up before iPhones and the Internet were around, books were central to my life. Summers free of school meant I could read non-stop. When I read I could forget about my teenage insecurities, losing myself in Jane Austen’s world, the clever shenanigans of Hercule Poirot, or steamy sex scenes when I confiscated my father’s John O’Hara’s novels.
Yours truly, age 14, with my two younger brothers during a a summer filled with books
Summer reading remains a treasured escape—a time when I can momentarily forget the existential dread of climate change, wars and the assault on women.This year’s summer reading list covers a lot of ground in the hope that readers will find at least one book that transports them.
FICTION
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
I was hooked from the opening sentence, In 1945 our parents went away and left us in the care of two men who may have been criminals. The narrator, Nathaniel Williams, 14 and his older sister Rachel are thrown into the world of wartime espionage where they become unwitting accomplices for the Moth. A thrill a minute.
SCIENCE FICTION
The Women’s War by Jenna Glass
The perfect antidote for all of you dreaming of a women-led country to replace the ultra-right’s abortion assault. In this page-turner 16th century women discover a revolutionary spell to control their own fertility, rocking their patriarchal society to its core. Delicious revenge.
MEMOIR
Ladysitting: My Year with Nana at the End of Her Century by Lorene Cary
From cherished memories of weekends she spent as a child with her adoring Nana to the year she spent “ladysitting” her now frail grandmother, Lorene Cary weaves stories of their time together and five generations of their African American family. A beautiful account of family love.
NON-FICTION
Everything in Its Place by Oliver Sachs.
Read the great Oliver Sachs’ posthumous collection of essays to sharpen your brain and to awaken your humanity. This book is divided into three sections: “First Loves, Clinical Tales and Life Continues.” The final section contains the delightful essay, “Why We Need Gardens,” where Sachs concludes: ‘We have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical “therapy” to be vitally important . . . music and gardens.”
Oliver Sachs joyfully listening to music
NATURE
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.
This fascinating book accompanied by gorgeous images explores the brain-like structures found at the tips of a tree’s roots, describing how trees form a community, love their saplings and won’t abandon their dead. Reading this will give you a new respect for your time in nature. You may never look at a tree the same way again.
A GUILTY PLEASURE
The Plaza by Julie Satow
The author dishes on the famous who lived and partied there. I especially enjoyed reading about the eccentric wealthy widows who took residence at the Plaza in the first half of the last century. One shining example is Clara Bell Walsh, a Kentucky heiress credited with holding the first cocktail party. One soiree featured a kindergarten theme. Guests, dressed as poor little rich girls and sailor boys, had to navigate an obstacle course to reach the bar, where drinks were served in baby bottles.
Clara Bell Walsh in her over-decorated Plaza apartment, possibly concocting her next ridiculous party
COOKING
The Dooky Chase Cookbook by Leah Chase
To expand your cooking repertoire consider this classic guide to creole and downhome Southern food by the celebrated, recently deceased New Orleans restaurateur, Leah Chase. Her eatery was a gathering place for civil rights leaders, jazz musicians and singers. When Obama visited Dooky Chase’s during his first Presidential campaign, Chase reprimanded him as he reached for the hot sauce to add to his gumbo. I can’t wait to try Chase’s soft-shelled crabs and bread pudding.
Leah Chase serving her celebrated gumbo
HUMOR
Nearing Ninety by Judith Viorst
Viorst has been chronicling her aging in her books on reaching 70 and 80 and now that she’s approaching 90, she continues to find life rewarding while reminding us that everybody gets old, and that the best medicine at any age is laughter.
HAPPY READING TO ALL!
